**’Cars just crumbled’: Drivers stranded on I-55 after smoke causes deadly pileup crash in Louisiana**
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH, La. – Both directions of Interstate 55 northwest of New Orleans are closed after a series of multi-car pileups killed two people in zero visibility, according to the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff.
The deadly pileup crash occurred on Monday morning as wildfire smoke and fog reduced visibility down to a mile on I-55 in Louisiana. Lance Scott, a witness to the crash, spoke to FOX Weather as he waited on I-55 for the interstate to reopen.
Marsh wildfires that have been smoldering since July suddenly flared up, blanketing the area with smoke. Combined with the thick fog, the visibility dropped to below 10 feet. The National Weather Service issued Dense Fog Advisories for most of southern Louisiana and Mississippi, referring to this particular fog as “super fog.”
The first accident happened just before 9 a.m. on the northbound lanes, involving around 18 tractor-trailers, three of which were set ablaze. Another multi-car chain reaction accident occurred in the southbound lanes, causing an 11-mile backup, according to the Louisiana Department of Traffic Development.
FOX 8 in New Orleans reported a third major pileup, with the remaining accidents occurring near these three locations. Multiple agencies were called in to assist with the aftermath of the crashes, including emergency crews who were called in on their days off.
Eyewitness Lance Scott estimated that around 75 to 150 vehicles were involved in the pileups. He recounted the chaotic scene, with collisions occurring in rapid succession behind his car. So far, authorities have reported 30 injuries from the 25 crashes.
Scott’s daughter, an ICU nurse, immediately sprang into action to help the injured, as did other victims and passersby. Scott described how paramedics set up a makeshift triage area to provide immediate medical assistance before transporting the injured to ambulances.
Photos taken by Scott revealed an SUV wedged under a pickup truck, burned rubber smell lingering in the air, and the sound of popping tires. The sheriff confirmed that at least one vehicle was pushed over the elevated highway’s rail, resulting in injuries to the driver and passengers.
The Louisiana State Police have not yet provided an estimated time for the reopening of I-55. In the meantime, traffic is being diverted onto I-51. The Department of Transportation and Development also closed I-10 near New Orleans, redirecting drivers onto I-310 due to several accidents in low visibility near the intersection.
Lance Scott expressed concern about how the wrecked vehicles would be cleared off the elevated highway since there are no crossovers, potentially causing delays for several hours.
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.